U.S. health officials have warned that the eye drops could cause the death of one person and serious eye damage in several others due to infection with drug-resistant bacteria.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified a rare strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 68 patients across 16 US states.

According to the BBC, this strain has never been found in the US before. It is noted that in addition to the death under investigation, eight patients had loss of vision, and four had their eyes surgically removed.

Most patients diagnosed with infection reported using eye drops and artificial tears. According to the CDC, eye drops from ten different companies were initially suspected in the incidents. Eye drops made in India and imported into the US by two companies were withdrawn from the market in January and February.

In January, the CDC warned people to stop using EzriCare artificial tears and Delsam Pharma artificial tears after rare bacteria were found in open eye drops.

“I lost an eye from drops”

Last week, a Florida woman sued a pharmaceutical company, alleging that an infection she suffered after using the product led to the loss of her eye. The woman’s lawyer accused the company of not testing enough eye drops.

“There are probably many more people who are infected and don’t know about it,” lawyer Natasha Cortez told NBC News.

An EzriCare spokesperson said that testing has so far not revealed any connection of the product to reported serious incidents. “We have reached out to customers to advise them not to continue using the product,” a spokesperson said. “We also immediately contacted the CDC and the FDA and declared our readiness to cooperate in whatever they ask of us.”

One review after another – EOF declaration

Last week, the FDA announced a recall of some eye drops distributed by Pharmedica and Apotex after the companies said they had voluntarily taken them off the shelves.

It is noted that the National Organization for Medicines also drew public attention to the eye drops of the company “Pharmedica”.

As he mentioned, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), two batches -2203PS01, 1808051- of “Purely Soothing 15% MSM Drops” (Manufacturer: USA Pharmaceuticals LLC) are being recalled in the US. USA, for reasons of infertility.

This product is marketed in the US as an anti-inflammatory treatment for eye irritation/swelling.